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ESPN's Buster Olney reports that if the slow market forces Jake Arrieta to defer pursuit of long-term deal, there are teams "very interested" in him on a short-term, high-salary contract.

We would be shocked if that weren't the case. Ultimately, it would be a surprise if it comes to that for Arrieta, as he should still be paid handsomely by someone even if it's not nearly what he might've been shooting for at the beginning of the offseason. Arrieta will turn 32 in a month, so taking a short-term deal and trying free agency again next winter would be an awfully risky move on his part. Feb 9 - 12:42 PM

Nightengale goes so far as to say that a reunion between Arrieta and the Cubs is as "unlikely as a Bill Belichick comedy show." Well then. He also reports that other teams seem concerned about the lack of contact; wondering if Chicago knows something about the 31-year-old's health. Arrieta went 14-10 for the Cubs in 2017, registering a 3.53 ERA and striking out 163 batters in 168 1/3 innings. Feb 7 - 4:04 PM

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports that the Brewers have "been in contact" with Jake Arrieta and Alex Cobb.

Heyman says the "prime target" for the Brewers is Yu Darvish, but they're prepared to pounce on one of the other top free agent starters should Darvish ultimately land a deal that reaches beyond Milwaukee's comfort zone. Lance Lynn would presumably come into consideration as well. All of this signals the continuation of an impressive late-offseason push from the fast-rising Brewers, who recently acquired outfielders Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain. They've even been floated as potential suitors for Rays ace Chris Archer. Feb 1 - 11:32 AM

Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia writes that the Phillies could be interested in free agent starting pitcher Jake Arrieta.

Salisbury notes that Arrieta has been working out with Philadelphia outfielder Nick Williams in Austin, and that Williams has been selling him on the Phillies. He also writes that GM Matt Klentak is "actively" looking at ways to improve the Philadelphia rotation. Reports are that Arrieta is still looking for a five-year deal, and the Phillies reportedly aren't willing to go that long with a starter on the market. If that yearly ask goes down, Philadelphia could very much be in play for the 31-year-old right-hander. Jan 18 - 8:21 AM

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Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports that the Cubs remain in touch with top free agents starters Yu Darvish, Jake Arrieta, and Alex Cobb.

Mooney notes that the Cubs' higher-ups don't seem as enamored with Lance Lynn. It's been a slow-moving offseason for all of these guys, along with many of the top free agents in the position player pool, but dominoes should begin falling soon as we move toward mid-January. Darvish is also known to be drawing some level of interest from the Twins, Astros, Dodgers, and Yankees. The 31-year-old right-hander posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 209/58 K/BB ratio across 186 2/3 regular-season innings in 2017 before getting lit up in the World Series.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Astros are interested in adding another top starting pitcher.

Rosenthal hears that the Astros are considering free agents Yu Darvish and Jake Arrieta and might be in the mix for Rays right-hander Chris Archer if he's made available via trade. The report comes as a bit of a surprise after the club added Justin Verlander this year, but the club appears to be looking ahead with Dallas Keuchel (who just hired Scott Boras as his agent) on track to hit free agency next offseason.

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports that the Cardinals "are looking at high-end starters, including Yu Darvish and Jake Arrieta."

Heyman does add the caveat that "they will first investigate the trade market before committing to a big-ticket free agent." President of baseball operations John Mozeliak has stated that a middle-of-the-order bat and a closer are bigger priorities for the Cardinals this winter than a starter, but it sounds like they'll still at least kick the tires on Darvish and Arrieta. However, if they do add a starter they might ultimately wind up settling on a lesser name, whether it be via trade or free agent signing.

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports hears that the Twins are "considering a run at one of the big free-agent starters."

Heyman lists Yu Darvish, Jake Arrieta, Lance Lynn, and Alex Cobb among the top tier of available starting pitchers. Darvish and Arrieta might prove to be a little too rich for Minnesota given that late-inning relief help is also on the club's offseason shopping list, but Lynn or Cobb could make financial sense. Lynn owns a sharp 3.38 career ERA and fared pretty well in 2017, his first year after Tommy John surgery. St. Louis made him a one-year, $17.4 million qualifying offer earlier this month, which he is expected to reject.

Montgomery was moved to the bullpen last week, with Jen-Ho Tseng joining the rotation, but the Cubs have quickly reversed course. Jon Lester was previously scheduled to start Tuesday, but he'll now be moved back a day to Wednesday. Montgomery owns a 3.57 ERA and 90/52 K/BB ratio over 118 1/3 innings this season, though he has been more effective out of the bullpen. He hasn't thrown more than 64 pitches in an appearance this month, so we wouldn't expect him to pitch deep into the game. Jake Arrieta (hamstring) is making progress, so this could strictly be a spot-start.

Lester had been lined up to pitch Sunday in Milwaukee, but he'll be held back an extra day to face a club in the Dodgers that struggles against lefties. It means Lester will be pitching on seven days' rest. Jake Arrieta will get the ball Sunday on regular rest.

He'll take on the rival Cardinals in the very first game of the 2017 regular season, Sunday, April 2 in primetime. Jake Arrieta will follow Lester in the rotation for the defending World Series champs.